Document: Will of Hans Hendricks

In the year of our Lord and [ Savior ] Jesus Christ, one thousand six hundred and forty-four, at the house of Adam Roelantsen, of Dockum, before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, came and appeared Hans Hendricx, of Traecx in Holstein, who, though lying wounded in bed, was in full possession of his memory, speech and understanding, as appeared evident to us, and who in the presence of the undersigned witnesses declared that, reflecting on the certainty of death and uncertainty of the hour thereof and in order to forestall all such uncertainty, he commends his soul to the protection of God and his body after his death to a Christian burial. He, the testator, being furthermore desirous to dispose by last will of all his means and effects which Almighty God has bestowed upon him on this earth, he bequeaths and leaves by an irrevocable will to Mr. Jochim Pietersz[1] and his wife the just half of his goods which he shall leave behind and the other half to his comrade Pieter, provided that they shall pay to his brother or others of his, the testator’s, friends or relatives from his, the testator’s, property the sum of six Carolus guilders. Concluding herewith his last will and testamentary disposition, revoking all previous wills or dispositions by last will which may have been executed or made by him before the date hereof in favor of any one in the world, he, the testator, requests that this may take effect and be valid before all courts, tribunals and judges. In testimony and proof of the honest truth this is signed by the witnesses hereto invited, the 18th of January 1644, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

Cornelio vander Hoykens
Adam Roelants
Jan Dircksz
Jan Evertsz Bout
Cornelis van Tienhoven